Ensuring that graduates are prepared
HB 2264
What it does: House bill 2264 would require ODE to conduct a study to determine how best to ensure all high school graduates are academically prepared to attend post-secondary institutions of education.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a work session on Monday, April 3.
Improving childcare facilities
HB 3005
What it does: The costs of opening, operating, and expanding childcare facilities have significantly impacted child care availability across the state. House Bill 3005 would direct the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to administer a financial assistance program for childcare providers to partially cover the costs of expansion and improvements of childcare facilities and services, establishes the Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund, and appropriates $100 million to OHCS to operate the program.
What’s next: The House Early Childhood and Human Services Committee has scheduled a work session on Monday, April 3.
Earthquake relief structures
HB 3486
What it does: House Bill 3486 would require newly constructed large rooms in schools or community colleges that are at high-risk of seismic impacts be designed and constructed for use as earthquake relief structures and would set the minimum design standards for seismic separation, emergency power, and water and natural gas shut off functionality.
What’s next: The House Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee has scheduled a work session on Tuesday, April 4.
Curriculum to prevent trafficking
SB 473
What it does: Senate Bill 473 would require school districts to adopt prevention curriculum that addresses child sex trafficking.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing with a possible work session on Tuesday, April 4.
Legislative notes:
House Bill 3198 (March 13 Legislative Briefs) would establish an Early Literacy Success Initiative funded by the Statewide Education Initiatives Account. The initiative would aim to increase early literacy so that students achieve reading proficiency by the end of the third grade (for students who are English language learners, by the end of the fourth grade), reduce early literacy academic disparities for student groups that have historically experienced academic disparities, reduce graduation rate disparities for student groups that have historically experienced academic disparities, and increase graduation rates for all Oregon students. The Oregon Department of Education would award annual grants to qualifying school districts and public charter schools and establish an early literacy coaching support program. The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing and possible work session on Monday, April 3.
House Bill 3454 (March 13 Legislative Briefs) would direct ODE to award grants to qualifying school districts and public charter schools to improve literacy. The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing and possible work session on Monday, April 3. This is the companion bill to HB 3198, and it is likely that HB 3198 will move forward and HB 3454 will remain in committee until the end of session.
